La Porte, IN (Mar. 25, 2024) - Residents and business owners of 39 North can expect to see City service vehicles in and around the neighborhood very soon, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

The city's annexation of the 39 North Conservancy District took effect on Monday, March 11, 2024, following several years of studies and negotiations. Per state statute, the City has one year from the effective date to provide non-capital services. However, Dermody said services such as police and fire coverage, street maintenance, TransPorte pick-ups/drop-offs and code enforcement will begin for these new residents on Monday, Apr. 1.

"It is important to our team that we try and make the transition for residents and businesses in this area into the city as smooth as possible," Dermody said. "One way to do this is by providing the services we promised throughout this process without any delays. For this reason, we are committed to providing any services we can immediately."

Given that utility and trash billing updates will require contract and ordinance amendments, these services will take some additional time to transition. Dermody said affected residents can rest assured that there will be no disruption of city utility services in the meantime. He noted that work also continues for the capital improvement projects that the NIES Engineering study found to be necessary.

"Planning is well underway for the water infrastructure improvements we have promised for this area," Dermody said. "We continue to work cooperatively with the 39 North Conservancy Board led by Mark Childress and will use this progress as a springboard into the significant infrastructure investments we have committed to along 39 North."

More information regarding the transition of utilities, along with updates on the status of capital projects for water and sewer, will be available at upcoming New Resident Welcome Meetings slated for the end of June. Dates and other details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Those with questions may contact Mayor Dermody's office at 219-362-0151.